Exploring Career Opportunities in the Gaming Industry: A Research Perspective

Abstract

The global gaming industry has transitioned from a peripheral entertainment niche to a cornerstone of the 21st-century digital economy, with India emerging as a critical nexus for talent, innovation, and consumption. This Systematic Literature Review (SLR) investigates the shifting career landscapes within the gaming sector from 2018 to 2026, a period defined by extreme volatility, regulatory restructuring, and the disruptive integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Analyzing datasets from the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI-EY), the Game Developers Conference (GDC), and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), this research identifies a structural pivot in the Indian market from "money-gaming" formats to intellectual property (IP)-driven video game development following the 2025 Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act. The findings reveal a "Skills Paradox" wherein a 20% overcapacity in legacy roles coexists with a profound shortage of AI-augmented specialists. Central to the Indian narrative is the National AVGC-XR Policy, which aims to cultivate 20 Lakh skilled professionals by 2030, leveraging the "Create in India" initiative to transform the nation from a service-oriented "back office" to a sovereign architect of global digital products. The research concludes that the necessity of AI-augmentation for Indian developers is not merely a productivity preference but an existential requirement for global competitiveness in an era of Agentic AI.